Conner Smith Speaks Out on Killing Elderly Woman in Car Accident
Conner Smith is speaking out on his involvement in a deadly car accident.
The country singer issued his first public statement on the death of Dorothy Dobbins, a 77-year-old woman whom he struck and killed with his truck in Nashville June 8 as she was crossing a street.
"Four weeks ago, I was involved in a tragic vehicle accident that resulted in the loss of a life," Smith wrote on Instagram July 11. "Not a day has gone by that I haven’t grieved, prayed, and mourned for Ms. Dobbins and her family."
"My heart is broken in a way I’ve never experienced, and I still struggle to fully process the weight of it all," he continued. "I ask that you continue to lift the Dobbins family up in prayer by name, asking for God's peace to surround them each day."
The 24-year-old also addressed his decision to cancel multiple performances in Ohio in the wake of the accident, explaining he wanted to "give space for grieving."
"I have always found that making music and playing shows is a place of healing for me," Smith wrote, "but for this moment, it was important for me to take time away from."
And as he takes time away from the stage, the "Creek Will Rise" artist shared that he has been leaning on his faith while he processes Dobbins' death.
"I’m thankful to serve a God who is near to the brokenhearted, and I have leaned on Him every step of the way," he added. "Through tragedy, I have learned that God is more faithful than I could have ever known before."
Authorities said in a June 9 press release that Smith showed “no signs of impairment" at the time of the accident, noting that the preliminary contributing factor of the collision was his failure to yield the right of way to the pedestrian.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department issued him a misdemeanor state citation July 10, according to his attorney Worrick G Robinson IV.
"Conner is incredibly grateful to the MNPD for their time and efforts to carefully investigate this tragic accident and has continued to cooperate at all times," the attorney said in a statement to E! News. "His thoughts remain with Ms. Dobbins’ family, and he remains committed to honoring her memory with compassion by supporting efforts to improve pedestrian safety and help prevent future tragedies.”
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